Even though it may sometimes seem like it, home building and design trends are not conjured up using a crystal ball.  They are the result of surveys, observations, lifestyles, socioeconomic issues, entertainment, technology, and most importantly, the needs and desires of buyers.

Here are some of the national and Sayreville homes trends to expect in 2010.

Green is growing. 

A study conducted by Burst Media in late December, 2009, found that 90 percent of Web users surveyed have incorporated some aspect of going green into their lives, and overall, they are willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products. 

Homes are getting smaller.

For 2010, home builders say they will focus on lower-priced and smaller homes. More than 95 percent of home builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in January said that was the way they saw their businesses evolving.

Single-story homes are in.

Because of the rise in homebuyers who are 55 years of age and older, more single-story Sayreville homes are being purchased.  According to NAHB, barely over half of new homes today are built with two stories or more. Two-story homes peaked at about 55 percent of the market in 2006.

Lower cost, more practical homes are being purchased.

In an attempt to respond to consumer demands for practicality, as well as hold the line on prices, home builders surveyed by NAHB are most likely to include these features as standard in their houses this year:

·         Walk-in closets in the master bedroom

·         Laundry rooms

·         Insulated front doors

·         Great rooms

·         Energy-efficient windows

·         Linen closets

·         Programmable thermostats

·         Energy-efficient appliances and lighting

·         Separate shower and tub in master bathrooms

·         Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor

Here are the features builders said they are least likely to add to houses in 2010.  You'll notice a lot of the items being eliminated are luxury features, as builders try to lower costs.  

·         Outdoor kitchens

·         Outdoor fireplaces

·         Sunrooms

·         Butler’s pantries

·         Media rooms

·         Desks in kitchens

·         Two-story foyers

·         Multiple shower heads in the master bath

·         Smaller kitchens

Want to buy one of the new Sayreville homes in 2010?  Call me today at 732-247-7800 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com to get started.

Links:

Study conducted by Burst Media

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=120962

National Association of Home Builders

http://www.nahb.org/

Energy-efficient windows

http://www.efficientwindows.org/

I can hear you now, “Oh, no! Not another article on curb appeal to sell my Sayreville NJ home!” To which I reply, “Oh, yes.” One more time around the block, but this time, we’re doing it in style.

The 21^st Century Curb

Curb appeal is that thing you do to pretty up the outside of your Sayreville NJ home. It’s the landscaping, the painting and the checking of the little details. However, many home sellers (and real estate agents, for that matter), don’t take into account that the curb nowadays isn't just the view from the front of your house. In the 21^st century, the “curb” starts right here on the Net.

Your online home listing has only three seconds - three short moments of time - to catch a potential buyer’s eye and turn them into an interested party. Unfortunately, it’s hard not to be biased or become used to the problems and eyesores your home may have. Because first impressions are so crucial and the housing market is glutted with competition, you have to bring it up a notch to get your home sold.

The Right Perspective

Most real estate agents park across the street, when they’re showing a home. So, to get the same perspective of your home as potential buyers will have, walk to the other side of the street and stand where potential buyers might stand. Go ahead; walk over there.

Once you’re on the other side of the street, turn around and look at the house for a few seconds. Most buyers don’t look for very long, so don’t stare, just glance. Then, as you slowly walk back to the house, keep your focus close, no more than a few feet out. What are you seeing?

• Yard ornaments
• Plain façade
• Obstructed pathway to the door
• Driveway stains
• Yard tools
• Leaves

These are just a few things that might be detracting from the beautiful home you have to sell. Take one last look around – a long, searching look from the front door – and see if anything stands out. If it does, fix it up!

The Virtual View

Once you think you have your home's curb appeal perfected, create a video of it for your potential buyers. Take a video camera across the street and start from there. Give your buyers a virtual tour of your Sayreville NJ home, using your curb appeal to its (and your) best potential. Online IS the new curb – use it!

When you hire me as your real estate agent, I'll create a professional virtual tour of your home, including its curb appeal.  Your virtual tour will appear on key real estate websites giving your home maximum exposure with a 24/7, world-wide virtual open house. 

Give me a call today at 732-247-7800 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Landscaping

http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/index.html

Eyesores

http://www.simplyjen.com/2009/05/are-you-immune-to-your-homes-eyesores.html

Video tour

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_tour

Even though it may sometimes seem like it, home building and design trends are not conjured up using a crystal ball.  They are the result of surveys, observations, lifestyles, socioeconomic issues, entertainment, technology, and most importantly, the needs and desires of buyers.

Here are some of the national and Middlesex NJ homes trends to expect in 2010.

Green is growing. 

A study conducted by Burst Media in late December, 2009, found that 90 percent of Web users surveyed have incorporated some aspect of going green into their lives, and overall, they are willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products. 

Homes are getting smaller.

For 2010, home builders say they will focus on lower-priced and smaller homes. More than 95 percent of home builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in January said that was the way they saw their businesses evolving.

Single-story homes are in.

Because of the rise in homebuyers who are 55 years of age and older, more single-story Middlesex NJ homes are being purchased.  According to NAHB, barely over half of new homes today are built with two stories or more. Two-story homes peaked at about 55 percent of the market in 2006.

Lower cost, more practical homes are being purchased.

In an attempt to respond to consumer demands for practicality, as well as hold the line on prices, home builders surveyed by NAHB are most likely to include these features as standard in their houses this year:

·         Walk-in closets in the master bedroom

·         Laundry rooms

·         Insulated front doors

·         Great rooms

·         Energy-efficient windows

·         Linen closets

·         Programmable thermostats

·         Energy-efficient appliances and lighting

·         Separate shower and tub in master bathrooms

·         Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor

Here are the features builders said they are least likely to add to houses in 2010.  You'll notice a lot of the items being eliminated are luxury features, as builders try to lower costs.  

·         Outdoor kitchens

·         Outdoor fireplaces

·         Sunrooms

·         Butler’s pantries

·         Media rooms

·         Desks in kitchens

·         Two-story foyers

·         Multiple shower heads in the master bath

·         Smaller kitchens

Want to buy one of the new Middlesex NJ homes in 2010?  Call me today at 732-247-7800 ext 182 or email me at middlesex@freddiemoorer.com to get started.

Links:

Study conducted by Burst Media

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=120962

National Association of Home Builders

http://www.nahb.org/

Energy-efficient windows

http://www.efficientwindows.org/